Skanda Purana

Bhojraj Dwivedi

Description

The Puranas are not merely history books in the accepted sense of the term but they do give a mine of information about the ancient life or the time when our values were taking roots. Since they record not only history and geography, but also the essence of our jurisprudence and subjects of practical value and its relevance, it perhaps never wanes. In order to help the gen-next know and appreciate the span of our achievement, it is essential for it to have a comprehensive version of our Puranas. The language and style of narration have been kept as near to the modern parlance so as to help the reader get the crux of the text. This Skanda Purana is an important to me of the series as it contains varied descriptions of our ancient heritage. Curiously enough, the now widely popular story: the 'Satyanarayan Katha' owes its origin to this very Purana. It is hoped our discerning readers would accord a warm welcome to Skanda Purana as they did to the earlier Puranas of the present series. We would welcome any suggestion from our readers to make the present series more relevant and meaningful.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie

Informations

• Publié par: Diamond Books
• Date de parution: 08 décembre 2021
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9788128822773
• Langue: English

Extrait

Skanda Purana

eISBN : 978-81-2882-277-3 ©Publisher Published by : Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. X-30, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase-II New Delhi-110 020 Phone : [phone] Fax : [phone] E-mail :[e-mail] Website :www.dpb.in Edition : 2014 Skanda Purana

by : Dr. Vinay

Preface

The Puranas are not merely history books in the acc epted sense of the term but they do give a mine of information about the ancien t life or the time when our values were taking roots. Since they record not only histo ry and geography, but also the essence of our jurisprudence and subjects of practi cal value and its relevance, it perhaps never wanes. In order to help the gen-next know and appreciate the span of our achievement, it is essential for it to have a comprehensive version of our Puranas. The language and style of narration have b een kept as near to the modern parlance so as to help the reader get the crux of the text.

T h isSkanda Puranaan important to me of the series as it contains  is varied descriptions of our ancient heritage. Curiously eno ugh, the now widely popular story: the ‘Satyanarayan Katha’ owes its origin to this very Purana.

It is hoped our discerning readers would accord a w arm welcome to Skanda Purana as they did to the earlier Puranas of the pr esent series. We would welcome any suggestion from our readers to make the present series more relevant and meaningful.

—Dr. Vinay

Foreword

Principally a Shaiva (or Shaivita) Purana, Skanda P urana is divided into six parts. The first part is Maheshwar Khanda which mos tly describes Shiv’s leelas and his various activities. The part remains further di vided into Kedar Khanda, Kumarika Khanda and Arunachala Mahaatmya Khanda.

The second part is called Vaishnava Khanda which is very enlightening and believed to be salvation inducing as it gives detai ls of many meritorious duties. It reveals the significance of the month of Marg Sheer sha, Vaishakha and Kartika and gives a peep into why they are deemed extra holy. N arad details the virtues of the followers of Vishnu with information about various Manus.

The third part is called Brahma Khanda, which conta ins Setu Mahatmya including that of Setubandha Rameshwar at the south ern most tip of the Indian peninsula in which Sage Vedavyas narrates the tale of Hyagreeva.

The fourth part is called Kashi Khanda, giving deta ils about the holiest teertha Prayag and the Manikarnika ghat in Kashi along with the significance of the well at Gyaanwaapik. Pranayam details are also given in thi s part.

The fifth part is called Avanti Khanda giving the d etails about Avanti (Ujjaiyini) as also about the regions of the rivers Ganga and Jamu na pass through and why they are held so holy. It also discusses the origin of A gni and the journey to the great center Mahakaal (in Ujjain). After this the Child s aint, Sanat Kumar’s intellectual discussion with the great sage Vyas is described. T he story of Jamdagni’s son Parashuram is also described in this chapter. The g lories of the Naag teertha and Avanti are described quite profusely.

The last part which is called Reva Khanda is the mo st popular portion of this Purana. In this section, the great sage Markandeya answered the questions raised by the eldest Pandava, Yudhishthir. The importance of the river Narmada is also described and the Kubera’s life is described. It ha s also the details of the birth of Ravan’s eldest son (Meghanada) and a discussion bet ween Ravan and Mandodari (the demon lord’s wife) in this context. Apart from telling the significance of various chosen holy spots, this part gives the details of R aja Tungadhwaja’s life.

Among all the Puranas, this Skanda Purana throws mu ch light on the geographical parts of ancient Aryavarta (undivided India) and the history of not only of the dynasties up to the Vindhyachala but even of the Sinhala (modern Sri Lanka).

The stories of Karthikeya’s birth and exploits figu re prominently at various places of this Purana which also gives its name.

As such, this Purana is a mine, having many details about ancient India, not only of geographical topography but of history of govern ance in that period when this Purana was compiled. Like other Puranas, it gives s ome of those values which framed the psyche of the modern India. This is quit e a voluminous purana and in size it is only second to the Mahabharat. Apart fro m these details, it conforms to the norm set for a Purana being the Mahapurana. That is the reason why this Purana is given so much importance. Perhaps the icing of the cake is taken by the most popular ‘Satyanarayan Vrata Katha’ which is still h eld quite sacrosanct all over the country.

—Dr. Vinay

1.Maheshwar Khanda 2.Vaishnava Khanda 3.Brahma Khanda 4.Kashi Khanda 5.Avanti Khanda 6.Revaa Khanda 7.Epilogue

Contents